Removable hinged electrical heater



Sept. 18, 1962 B. ALTMAN ETAL REMOVABLE HINGED ELECTRICAL HEATER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 5, 1961 INVENTORS .BernardflZi-man BY Paul Stiller AW 1 ATTORNEY Se t. 18, 1962 B. ALTMAN ETAL 3,054,882

REMOVABLE HINGED ELECTRICAL HEATER Filed June 5, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG 7 Bernard Jiltman BY Paul Sid ZZer ATTORNEY United This invention relates to a removable hinged electrical heater for ranges or stoves and the like; and, due to specific and distinctive features, it is sometimes called the fork hinge detent heater.

The heating element per se comprises a well-known sheathed (metal clad) type of resistance hot wire electrical conductor which quickly heats the sheath to a red glow for cooking purposes.

More especially, this improvement relates to a range to or platform (surface) heater embodying a detachable hinge which permits the heater to be either lifted from the range platform or til-ted to a latched-up position while cleaning the cooking refuse (grease, etc.) from underneath the heater. Thereafter, the heater is easily replaced in service position for cooking purposes.

The point of novelty is believed to stem from the simplified hinge and the reduction of the number of parts, as compared to conventional heaters currently supplied by heater manufacturers to the range production trade.

A removable hinged heater is useful where it is desired temporarily to lift it from cooking (service) position, as by detaching its hinge or, by choice, merely tilting it to a stand-up position. Each of these two features of mobile utility provides for convenience when cleaning the range, including the drip pan and other parts underneath the heater.

The problem believed solved by this invention is best understood by comparing our simplified heater hinge and latch-up means to those now being supplied to the range producing trade. It appears that heater manufacturers have met the requirements of electric range producers merely by adding additional parts to conventional heaters, in order to provide one which has the two above noted features of mobility.

The above suggested comparison is facilitated by summarizing the results of our research through the prior art, in quest of features of practical manufacturing interest. The better known prior-use heaters, many types of which have been supplied the electrical range trade, appear to be shown in one or more of the following US. patents: Burke, 1,722,127; Markus, 1,937,293; Nicholson, 1,998,330; Raabe, 1,989,823; Barnes, 2,161,446; Flam, 2,209,677; Lewis, 2,225,176; Sharp, 2,274,348; Price, 2,502,988; Clark, 2,528,579; Eckblad, 2,816,206; Price, 2,839,655; McOrlly, 2,877,334; Covert, 2,802,927; Fleming, 2,803,034; Ammerman, 2,828,403; McOrlly, 2,877,334; Fry, 2,955,189.

In searching the foregoing patents and other representative prior art, also prior-use heaters, for structural features of practical interest to simplify electrical heater manufacture, We have not found a hinge having a simple structural form which lends itself to economical manufacture and convenient use by the housewife.

Accordingly, a purpose of the invention is to provide a range surface (platform) electrical heater which meets the above noted objectives, in order to supply heaters which more fully satisfy the requirements of the range manufacturing trade.

The Drawings The accompanying drawings now considered, along with this specification and claimed subject matter, distates Patent p 3,054,882 Patented Sept. 18, 1962 2 close the best mode contemplated in applying the principle of the invention and understanding the problems discovered as well as the new results achieved. Since these teachings may suggest structural changes to others, it is apparent that later modifications may well be equivalents and thus the same in spirit as this invention, as understood by a comparison thereof with the prior art.

It is pointed out that the accompanying drawings are made to a closely approximate scale from a production (commercial) specimen, and the proportions shown are, therefore, closely illustrative of the dimensional details of the heater parts and their relation.

Note also that the names of parts (the legends) on the drawings are consistently followed in the description of the features and of the claimed subject matter, thus making for clarity in the meaning of the terminology used in this disclosure.

The drawings illustrate those particular components of a conventional range platform heater which provide an environment for the invention. All other parts are omitted for clarity. Two known modes of hinged heater utility are demonstrated, first, the removable feature and, second, the latch-up feature. As said before, our inventive concept is based upon simplification, thus in contrast to the current practice of merely adding more structural parts to an old heater in order to implement a newly discovered utility and function desired by the range manufacturers.

A brief description is next made of the several views in the drawings, and note that the rear center of the heater is at the left hand side of the views:

FIG. 1 shows a broken away range platform RP, i.e., its top, having a circular heater opening H0, in which rests a known form of support ring 10, modified to receive the electrical heater with our new dual-purpose (detachable and latch-up) hinge means.

FIG. 2 shows a fragment of the clad heater, carried on a pivoted spider frame leg. These two parts constitute the heater per se assembly. The rear end of this pivoted leg (left side of FIG. 2) has a novel fork hinge means adapted to either be releasably removed from the support ring (FIGS. 2 and 9) or, by choice, swingably latched up (FIG. 10). In either choice or mode of use, the heater is out of the way when cleaning underneath it.

Note that FIGS. 1 and 2 are shown in spaced alignment of assembly. The heater with its novel fork hinge means (FIG. 2) is being held by an operators. hand (not shown) in direct line with a horizontal hinge pivot pin (FIG. 1), in readiness to be replaced in service posi tion (FIGS. 7 and 8), after cleaning the range parts.

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the support ring, having a ring opening 14, through which are fixedly mounted the above named pivot pin and also a detent spring of leaf form (in contrast to a coil spring), as later described.

The next three figures are position and action views of our novel fork hinge means operatively mounted on its pivot pin.

FIG. 4 illustrates the position of the fork hinge, when the heater is in its down (service) position (FIGS. 7 and 8), while FIG. 5 is an action view showing the fork hinge manually tilted up and slid outward until a stop nose on the rear end of one prong of the fork hinge comes to rest against the stationary pivot pin. The heater per se assembly is, therefore, semi-captive on the pivot pin. This feature affords the operator a manual feel signal, by which to either give the heater an outward forceable pull (FIG. 6) to actually detach it from its pivot pin on the support ring (as in FIGS. 2 and 9), else drop the heater back down to its latched-up position (FIG. 10), and

FIG. 6 is also an action view showing our fork hinge actually being pulled outward, so as to detach it from the pivot pin and thus easily remove the heater (FIGS. 2 and 9) from its support ring. The dotted lines (FIG. 6) show the prong pair of our fork hinge actively sprungapart, as the stop nose starts to slide off its pivot pin.

Note that the next two views show the heater in service position, FIG. 7 being a plan (top) view and FIG. 8 a side section on the line 88.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the heater per se, completely detached from its service position, and compares with FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is also a side elevation and demonstrates the second mode of utility, in that this view illustrates the heater per se in its latched-up position, instead of being detached as in the first mode of utility (FIGS. 2, 6 and 9).

The Support Ring 10 and Its Features In the drawings, an electric range is diagrammatically indicated as having a conventional range top for cooking purposes, i.e., a range platform RP, with its heater opening H0, in which a support ring 10 removably rests in the usual manner. The support ring 10, although kin to conventional form, is modified in a way to mount the removable hinged heater for performing its two modes of utility and, therefore, is a feature of this invention. The support ring 10 has (at its upper portion) a flared trim (finishing) rim 11, which rests on top of the range platform RP. Also, it is provided (at its lower portion) with an inwardly die-formed annular flange 12 adapted to support a drip pan (not shown). This pan flange 12 contributes to the latch-up feature (FIG. 10), whereas the conventional drip pan does not and, therefore, is omitted for clarity. Incidentally, it is common practice to so mount the support ring 10 in the opening H that said ring is easily lifted out and replaced when cleaning the range platform RP and its accessories.

A ring opening 14 (FIG. 3) is provided through the rear center of the support ring and serves to position, in a simple and compact manner, two components of this new heater combination. For example, note that an angular bracket has a foot 15 anchored to the outer surface of the support ring 10 (under the trim rim 11), together with an integral arm 16 which extends inwardly through the ring opening 14 and beyond the pan flange 12. Observe that the foot 15 is either riveted or spot welded to the support ring 10 and holds its arm 16 in rigid horizontal position, just above the pan flange 12.

A horizontal hinge pivot pin 17 is fixed on the inwardly projecting bracket arm 16, above and inward just beyond the pan flange 12. This pivot pin 17 is provided with a flanged head 18, having a clearance relation with its horizontal arm 16. The pivot means 17 and 18 (pin and head) supports the heater swingably and slidably for its removable feature (FIGS. 2 and 9') and also for its latch-up feature (FIG. 10).

A leaf spring 20 has its left hand end portion (FIGS. 1 and 7) anchored, as by spot weld or rivet, to the outer surface of the support ring 10 and under the trim rim 11. Thus its anchored portion is rigid. However, its right hand end 21 is flexibility free and performs the function of a detent-latching spring. Moreover, this detent spring 21 is deformed inwardly, so as to extend part way across, operatively within and partially through (or just through) the ring opening 14.

Next, it is observed that the detent spring 21 is comparatively short, and that it constitutes the only resilient portion of the leaf spring 20. Since the detent spring 21 is short ended, it is rendered stiff. It thus has a strong flexure, i.e., a strong reflex (spring back) reaction within the ring opening 14.

The short flexure leaf detent spring 21 not only partially extends inwardly through the ring opening 14 (FIGS. 1 and 3) but alongside and close to the rigid bracket arm 16. The short operative detent spring 21, therefore, sets within and masks the opening 14 of the support ring. Clearance is provided between the arm 16 and the free (operative) end-edge of the detent spring 21, in order that the latter may flex and react closely adjacent but not engage the arm 16.

Next, it is seen that a conventional latching detent recess 22 is die-formed outwardly, in the front center of the support ring 10, diametrically opposite the flexible detent spring 21. Its function is explained in the next topic in connection with our novel fork hinge.

The foregoing completes the description of the support ring 10 and its features, resting in a conventional manner within the heater opening HO of range platform RP. There follows a description of the heater per se assembly mounted in the support ring 10 and adapted either to be detached and removed from said ring or, by choice, tilted and latched in an up position when cleaning the range platform.

The Heater and Its Fork Hinge Means It is common practice to provide a sheathed (clad) electric heater H, with its terminal pin connector I-IT, adapted to be connected with a power circuit (not shown) for quickly bringing the heater to a red-hot glow for cooking purposes on the range platform RP.

The clad heater H is mounted and supported on a pivoted spider frame leg 25. Ordinarily, this spider frame comprises at least two edgewise support bars in the form of a cross, on which the heating element H directly rests to support the dead weight of its red-hot convolutions against sagging and also the weight of a cooking vessel placed on the heater.

However, the illustrations purposely show only one of the spider legs 25, i.e., the pivoted leg extending from front to back of the surface heater assembly (FIGS. 7 and 8). In other words, the cross-wise leg of the spider frame is omitted for clarity, since it does not embody a feature of this invention.

The spider frame pivoted leg 25 comprises a steel strut set edgewise (vertically) to make for rigidity, so as to carry the heater load. Incidentally, it is also old practice to fasten the heater H convolutions directly to the spider framework, i.e., its pivoted leg '25, clips or other known fastening means being used for such purpose. Since the latter is not a feature, the fastening means is omitted.

The front end-edge of the pivoted leg 25 is indicated at 26 (-FIG. 8). Note that this front end (its edge) 26 latches, spring detent fashion, within the detent recess 22 at the front center of the support ring 10, when the heater is down in service position (FIGS. 7 and 8). In like manner, note the rear end of the pivoted leg 25, next explained.

The rear end-edge of the pivoted leg 25 is indicated at 27 (FIGS. 2, 4 and 8), and it engages and tensions (spring loads) the leaf detent spring 21, when the heater is in down position. Thus the tensioned leaf detent spring 21 urges the front edge 26 of the pivoted leg 25 tightly against the front center of the support ring 10 and latches (seats) it into the detent recess 22.

It is now seen that the overall length of the pivoted leg 25 (the distance between the two end-edges 26 and 27) is accurately set, so as to forcibly deflect the detent spring 21 rearward and spring load it for snugly seating the heater per se assembly H and 25 in its support ring 10.

The rear end of the pivoted leg 25 is also provided with a. simple fork hinge means of novel construction. It comprises an upper prong (tine) 28 and a lower prong or tine 29. It is important to note that one of the fork hinge prongs has a stop nose 30 at its rear end. In this example of the invention, the upper prong 28 is the longer one and carries the stop nose 30.

Significantly, the inner edges (the facing edges) of the two prongs 28 and 29 of the fork hinge are parallel and spaced apart for a close but easy sliding fit on the pivot pin 17. Thus the fork hinge means 28 and 29, of the pivoted leg 25, readily shifts back and forth on its pivot. The flanged head 18 on the pivot is spaced from the arm 16 by a clearance about equal to the thickness of the pivoted leg 25 and holds it in place, i.e., in operative parallel relation to the stationary bracket arm 16.

The diameter of the flanged head 18, in the size (proportion) shown, prevents side sway (lateral displacement) of the pivoted leg 25 when it is tilted upward and thus assures that the rear end-edge 27 cams against the detent spring 21 and that the front end-edge 26 aligns with and latches into the detent recess 22 of the support ring when the heater is again lowered into service position.

Next, it is observed that the stop nose 30 has a downward angular inside edge facing a similar angular inside edge on the rear end of the lower prong 29. These two facing edges are also parallel and, significantly, they are shorter, also fractionally closer together than the two facing (inside) edges of the two prongs 28 and 29, i.e., fractionally less than the diameter of the pivot pin 17.

Consequently, in manipulating the heater, the stop nose 30 comes in contact with (impinges) the pivot pin 17 and arrests the pivoted leg 25 against pulling off (FIG. 7), unless the operator exerts an additional (forceable) pull, for the purpose of easily flexing the two prongs 28 and 29 (dotted lines, FIG. 6) and, thereby, completely removing the heater H (FIGS. 2 and 9) from its mooring on the support ring 10. Thus the heater is semi-captive on its support ring 10, for the purpose of performing either its removable function (FIG. 9) or latch-up function (FIG. 10

Note also that the downward angle of said inside facing edge on said stop nose 30, as well as its parallel companion edge on the lower prong 29, is shown to be about 45 i.e., in relation to the two parallel facing edges of the prongs 28 and 29. The 45 angle is not critical; it may be more or less. However, the angle as shown in the drawings gives good results and is recommended.

Fig. 9, Heater Detached To remove the heater H, it is grasped at its front center and pulled upward, causing the detent spring 21 to yield rearward, as the front end-edge 26 of the pivoted leg releases from the latching detent recess 22 ('FIG. 8). The heater assembly H and 25 is then swing upward on its pivot pin 17, pulled off (FIG. 6) and laid aside, while cleaning the range.

Conversely, the heater assembly is restored to service position, by pushing the stop nose 30 and lower prong 29 of the fork hinge back onto the pivot 17 and allowing the heater to drop back into the support ring 10. A slight finger pressure on the front center of the heater cams the front end 26 (FIG. 8) of the pivoted leg back into its latch down detent recess 22.

Fig. 10, Heater Latched Up On the other hand, to latch (prop) the heater assembly H and 25 in stand-up position, it is tilted upward, whereupon the rear end-edge 27 of the pivoted leg 25 (upper prong 28) cams against and past the pan flange 12. At this point of movement, the heater drops by its own weight below the pan flange 1-2 and automatically latches or props itself in a stand-up position. To restore the heater to service position, it is simply lifted until the prong 28 of the fork hinge clears the pan flange 12, and then lowered into the support ring.

This new heater hinge means comprises a minimum number of parts, is simple to manufacture, and is believed to simplify present day practice.

What is claimed is:

1. In a known type of electrical heater, adapted to be mounted in the heater opening of a range platform, and having a hinge means, operable to permit the heater either to be removed from said opening or, by choice, remain 6 therein and be tilted to a latched-up position, out of the way, when cleaning the range parts;

that improvement in said hinge means, which comprises a stationary pivot pin fixed in the heater opening, combined with a movable fork hinge, which includes two resilient parallel prongs, spaced apart, and which are fitted for a freely tiltable and slidable motion astride the pivot pin;

the two parallel prongs, being formed by a horizontal slot, provided in the rear end of a spider frame, in the form of a pivoted leg, which horizontal slot permits the heater to be tilted to said latch-up position; the horizontal slot, at the rear end of the pivoted leg, being down turned at an angle to said horizontal slot, this angular down-turned portion of such slot permitting the heater to be removed from the pivot pin, and lifted from said range platform.

2. In an electrical heater, adapted to be mounted in the heater opening of a range platform, and having a hinge means, operable to permit the heater either to be removed from its said opening or, by choice, remain therein and be latched in an upstanding position out of the way, when cleaning the range parts;

that improvement in said hinge means, which comprises a stationary pivot pin fixed in said heater opening, and combined with a movable fork hinge, formed of two resilient parallel prongs, which are spaced apart, and normally in a horizontal position, and being closely fitted astride the pivot pin, but freely tiltable and slidable thereon;

and a stop nose on the free end of one resilient prong, having a inner edge, disposed at a downward angle to said parallel prongs, and said inner edge being spaced from and facing a similar inner edge on the other prong;

the two inner edges being parallel, also fractionally closer together than the diameter of the pivot pin, thereby having a tight slip fit on and off the pivot pin, and being releasable therefrom by exerting a pulling force, after the heater its tilted upward for either removing it or for latching it in said stand-up position;

whereby the heater may be detached from the pivot pin and laid aside or, by choice, lowered in the plane of said stand-up position and latched in that position, when the fork hinge comes to rest against the inner peripherial edge of said heater opening.

3. In an electrical heater, as described in claim 2, and having a pivoted spider frame, on which said heater is carried, and which includes a pivoted leg of known form, extending from front to rear of said heater;

and characterized by the rear end of said pivoted leg being slotted to form an upper fork prong and a lower fork prong, both of which are an integral part of the pivoted leg;

the inner peripherial edge of said heater opening consisting of an annular pan flange of a known type of support ring resting in said heater opening of said range platform, and the upper fork prong of the pivoted leg being the prong which rests against the pan flange to latch the heater in said up-standing position.

4. An electrical heater, as described in claim 2, and having a pivoted spider frame, on which said heater is carried, and which includes a pivoted leg comprising a support bar disposed vertically edgewise extending from front to rear of said heater;

and characterized by the rear end of said pivoted leg being slotted to form an upper said prong and a lower said prong, both prongs being an integral part of the edgewise support bar;

a support ring, mounted in said heater opening, a pan flange formed on the support ring and constituting the said inner peripherial edge, against which rests the upper said prong for latching the heater in said up-standing position;

an opening formed in the rear center portion of the support ring, a flat leaf spring having one end anchored on the outer surface of the support ring, and its other end flexibly free, forming a detent spring, which overlies and extends partially through the opening in the support ring, and acting under its spring tension against the end-edge of the upper said fork hinge prong;

thereby urging the front end-edge of the pivoted leg into latched engagement with the front center of the support ring, to latch the heater in down position.

5. In an electrical heater, mounted on a spider frame,

having a pivoted leg, under the heater, extending from front to rear thereof, swingably mounted at its rear end on a support ring, adapted to rest in a range platform, by which said heater may be tilted upward and removed or, by choice, latched in up-standing position, out of the way when cleaning the range parts, and having a latchdown means for holding the heater in its service position; that improvement (1) in said pivoted leg and (2) in said latch-down means, in combination with each other, which comprises an opening through the rear center of said support ring, an arm extending through and fixed in the opening, and a pivot pin fixed on the arm;

the rear end of said pivoted leg provided with a horizontal hinge slot, forming upper and lower fork prongs, which are mounted astride the pivot pin, and are swingable hinge [fashion and also slidable back and forth on the pivot pin;

a flexible leaf spring, one end of which is fixed on said support ring, on the outside surface thereof, and with its other end resiliently free, constituting a detent spring, which overlies and extends into and only part way through said support ring opening, and which is active at the inner surface of said support ring;

the rear end-edge of the upper fork prong engaging the detent spring, thereby deflecting and tensioning the latter, the spring reaction of which pushes against the rear end-edge of the upper fork prong, thus urg ing the front end-edge of said pivoted leg into said latch-down engagement with said support ring for releasably holding said heater down in service position.

6. An electrical heater, as described in claim 5, but

characterized by a stop nose formed on the rear end of said upper fork prong, and having an inner downwardly- 5 formed edge;

also an inner edge, on the rear end of the lower prong, which is parallel to the inner edge of the stop nose;

these two inner downwardly-directed parallel edges being fractionally closer together, and also shorter, than the inner edges defining the aforesaid hinge slot of the parent claim;

whereby said hinge slot is freely slidably and swingable on the pivot pin, while the stop nose restricts the slidable movement, thus requring an additional and forceable manual pull, to detach the heater from the pivot pin, which is accomplished by flexing the two fork prongs apart until the stop nose releases from the pivot pin.

References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 

